(DNAINFO)  Amy Zimmer | July 14, 2016 — Get your water tested, run your tap for 30 seconds and other tips about safe drinking water at home.

As several cities across the country face problems with lead in their water — from Flint to Newark and Hoosick Falls — New York City officials have reaffirmed the safety of the drinking water here and have taken proactive measures to test water at city schools, making those results publicly available.

The city’s water is practically lead-free when it leaves the reservoir system upstate in the Catksills, officials say. But water can absorb lead from fixtures and pipes, so lead levels in water may be elevated because of that.

Here’s what you need to know about the safety of your drinking water at home:

► First, get your water tested — it’s free.

The city has a free residential lead testing program.  You can request a kit through the health department’s website or by calling 311.

The test will require you to fill two bottles with water, first after your sink has remained unused for at least 6 hours for a “first draw” and then after running the water until it gets noticeably colder.

After mailing the samples to the city’s Department of Environmental Conservation for testing, you’ll get the results in about a month.

Source: Here’s What You Need to Know About the Safety of Your Home’s Drinking Water – Inwood – DNAinfo New York